Tropical fruit and floral aromas are the perfect accompaniment to longer days and lighter meals. Try these Oregon Pinot Gris for pretty varietal flavors and prices points that leave enough in the wallet to save for that summer vacation.
2014 Rock Point Oregon Pinot Gris
Peach, floral, jasmine, vanilla, honeysuckle, and talc on the nose make the off dry beginning on the palate no surprise. Did you catch that little bit of minerality hiding behind those pretty aromas? It foreshadows the green apple tart finish. 700 cases; $14.99
2014 Schmidt Family Vineyards Applegate Valley Pinot Gris
Inviting and light with a pleasurable palate and aromas reminiscent of a lemon almond shortbread. Marzipan, rose, and apricot on the nose with a silky mouthfeel, a bit of salinity and a lemon tanginess that pops in mid palate through the finish. Bet you can’t stop at one sip. 224 cases: $23
2014 Panther Creek Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Gris
A cheerful tropical scented Pinot Gris with orange, pineapple, tangerine, honeydew and bit of clove spice on the nose. The palate delivers bright acidity, honey, lime and more of those tropical flavors that ends with fun little pucker of grapefruit on the finish. 2500 cases; $20
2014 Maryhill Winery Columbia Valley Pinot Gris
Mineral, tropical fruit, and sandalwood on the nose let you know you are in for something a bit different. This is the savory side of Pinot Gris with clean grassy and green herbal notes. A complex structure makes this wine serious and flavors of candied pineapple keep it fun. Finishes long and clean. 4910 cases; $16
2014 Kramer Vineyards Yamhill Carlton Pinot Gris
Sweet aromas of fig newton, almond bread, and peach lead to a wine that delivers with a creamy texture and supporting acid. Minerality plays across the tongue and brings notes of meyer lemon, peach and pear. The balance of sweet and tart elements combine in a dramatic way on the finish. 600 cases: $18.00
2014 A to Z Wineworks Oregon Pinot Gris
At first a little shy on the nose it does not take much coaxing to convince this wine to show us aromas of pineapple, tangerine, honey and minerality. On the palate tropical fruits meet silk textures touched with jasmine. The finishe is a delight with lemon and grapefruit. 78,025 cases: $14.00
2014 Willamette Valley Vineyards Willamette Valley Pinot Gris
Well this is a sensuous little wine right here. The nose is like strolling through a spring garden. The palate will keep you on your toes – honeydew, green apple, mandarin, grassy notes. The flavors grow through a silky mouthwatering finish that leaves you somewhere between satiated and longing. 24,033 cases; $16
2014 Solena Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Gris
Notes of anise, orange blossom, nuttiness and honey draw you in. Rich yet tingly, the wine will activate your tastebuds with a juicy, tart acidity. Great to pair with food or a special friend. 3300 cases; $20.00
2015 Duck Pond Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Gris
A very young wine, give it a minute to open up in the glass and you will be rewarded with aromas of pineapple, nectarine, and sweet spearmint. Don’t get distracted. This wine is sneaky. A bit sweet on the attack, salty on the finish, with a silky mouthfeel and a zesty lemony acidity that makes you want to do it all over again. 21,000 cases: $14.00
2015 Pike Road (by Elk Cove) Willamette Valley Pinot Gris
Fruit forward, but the crisper fruits of a Pinot Grigio style wine – citrus and pear. Mineral notes, refreshing acidity, and a clean finish. A good pairing for those salads we are all making from our Spring garden greens. Also pair with creamy cheeses with a bit of salinity – think brie or St. Andre. 8,000 cases; $15
A portion of this list originally appeared in our regular column – Cellar Selects – in the Oregon Wine Press. Samples were provided for the blind tasting.
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